Ceuta experienced a "flood of people" on July 30-31, 2026, as thousands of migrants from Morocco crossed the border, both by land and swimming.
This mass arrival transformed a daily flow of about 300 people into an "avalanche," leading authorities to open gates to prevent a human "bottleneck" and focus on assisting the injured. Police unions described the situation as a "total collapse," with the Spanish government announcing the mobilization of the Army to reinforce security.
Cited causes include rumors of an "open" border, a Spanish Supreme Court decision on migrant returns, the actions of criminal networks, and a shortage of police personnel on the ground. At least nine people died during the crossing, and pressure on Ceuta's reception and security services became extreme.
